Method for manufacturing a gasket with an encapsulated metal band

摘要

A method for manufacturing a gasket that is reinforced by a metal band, which is completely encapsulated within the elastomeric material of the gasket. The metal band is formed with spaced-apart dimples stamped into its inner surface, causing raised projections to form on the outer surface of the metal band. When the metal band is placed in a mold, the raised projections on its outer surface cause the metal band to be spaced apart from the inner wall of the mold. Elastomeric material is then injected into the mold and is able to completely encapsulate the metal band. The gasket is cured and then removed from the mold.

主权项

1. A method for manufacturing a reinforced gasket for use in sealing pipe joints, the method comprising the steps of:
providing a slightly conical hoop-shaped metal band having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having a plurality of discrete spaced-apart dimples formed therein and the outer surface having a plurality of discrete raised projections, each of the projections corresponding to one of its dimples; providing a mold having complementary upper and lower mold plates, the mold plates, when assembled, defining a mold cavity for molding the reinforced gasket, the mold plates having inner walls; setting the metal band against the inner wall of the lower mold plate, the metal band spaced apart therefrom by the raised projections on the outer surface of the metal band; assembling and closing the upper and lower mold plates; injecting elastomeric material into the mold cavity, encapsulating both the inner surface and the outer surface of the metal band including the dimples and the raised projections prior to curing the reinforced gasket; curing the reinforced gasket; and removing the reinforced gasket from the mold.